章 39: Chapter 39 The Brotherhood
"This is the sole demand of the High Table," Aisha said seriously. "As for the target, I can only tell you after you accept the task."
"In this world, there are many people the High Table can kill and only a few it cannot. But those few hold the power to command most of the world's resources."
Anton squinted, replying calmly, "Since this is a partnership, what do I get in return?"
"The friendship of the High Table and the title of High Table Advisor," Aisha replied. "As an advisor, you'll have the authority to mobilize assassins within the High Table and share all intelligence. But in return, you must bear corresponding responsibilities and make a blood oath with the High Table. Once made, the blood oath cannot be broken. If it is, you'll face endless pursuit by the High Table."
Anton fully understood—they were trying to recruit him. It seemed his display of Batman-like abilities had proven his value to them.
"A blood oath is impossible! Killing people is even more impossible!" Anton rejected outright. "If you've seen Batman movies, you'd know he has a rule—no killing."
Aisha's face grew complicated upon hearing this. She had anticipated the possibility of rejection but never for such a reason.
No killing?
What nonsense!
Then she remembered: in the previous night's fight, not a single person had died. Only two unlucky ones were hit by stray bullets, bleeding out later. Even the worst-off of Anton's attackers was left in a vegetative state.
"However, it's not impossible for Batman to help," Anton continued as he noticed Aisha's changing expression. "But it must be done Batman's way."
He paused. "Secondly, Batman can have a cooperative relationship with the High Table, but only for intelligence sharing. Any future demands will require separate agreements. We can discuss that gradually."
In truth, he needed a stage to prove himself and erase the "Batman" suspicion surrounding him. Working with the High Table could serve that purpose.
"I can't make that decision," Aisha said after a moment's thought. "Please give me some time."
She got out of the car, made a lengthy phone call, then returned, nodding to Anton. "Pleasure doing business with you."
"Now, can you tell me who your target is?" Anton asked, intrigued.
He was genuinely curious about who could be untouchable, even for the High Table.
"His name is Sloan. He's the head of another assassin organization—the Brotherhood," Aisha explained, "and the High Table's greatest rival in the assassin world."
Sloan?
The Brotherhood, a rival?
It sounded a bit too familiar.
Anton was taken aback. "The Brotherhood? Sloan? The same organization that claims to control fate through weaving?"
"That's right," Aisha replied, unsurprised by Anton's knowledge. "Sloan leads the Brotherhood, commanding elite assassins who've never failed internationally. The High Table and the Brotherhood have been bitter enemies, competing fiercely over the years."
In other words, both wanted to dominate the assassin world.
Two tigers, one domain: eliminate the other, and victory is assured.
"A rival organization's boss makes sense as an untouchable target," Anton mused.
He nodded at Aisha. "Deliver the intel as soon as possible, and I'll plan my move."
"No problem—the intel is ready!" Aisha confirmed. "If you ever need anything, contact me or Winston. You'll be a distinguished guest of the High Table."
With that, she handed him a tablet-like device and left the car.
Watching Aisha vanish into the street, Anton instructed the driver to go and opened the files on the tablet.
After reviewing the intel, he understood why the High Table had approached him now.
The High Table and the Brotherhood had been at odds for years.
Initially, the Brotherhood operated by strict principles, killing only designated targets. They didn't compete with the High Table. But about twenty years ago, the Brotherhood underwent a transformation under Sloan's leadership, growing rapidly to challenge the High Table's dominance.
The High Table wanted to eliminate Sloan to assert its position as the unchallenged empire in the assassin world.
They sought Anton not only because they couldn't guarantee success but also because Carlos, the Brotherhood's strongest assassin, had recently surfaced in New York.
Carlos was the Brotherhood's ace, a master of an extraordinary gun-fighting technique. However, he left the Brotherhood a few years ago. Since then, Sloan declared him a target for assassination.
The two sides waged a prolonged battle without any resolution.
While the Brotherhood suffered losses, Carlos remained unscathed.
Until recently, when the High Table received intel that Carlos would be in New York, and the Brotherhood planned a full-scale assault to eliminate him.
This would be a decisive battle, and Sloan was bound to show up.
The High Table saw this as their best chance.
If successful, the High Table would win. If not, the status quo remained unchanged, with no losses to themselves.
The elders of the High Table were not foolish; they had calculated everything.
"A showdown?" Anton rubbed his chin. From his past life memories, the story didn't go this way.
The most likely outcome would be another deadlock in this "showdown."
Likely, it was in desperation that Sloan later sought out Carlos's son, Wesley, to use him against his father.
"Tomorrow, the Brotherhood's top assassins like Fox, the Mechanic, and others will arrive in New York…" Anton closed the tablet, pondering.
Time was tight.
He then took out his phone and called Jim.
"Anton?" Jim answered instantly, excited. "I'm hosting a celebration party the day after tomorrow. You promised to come, right?"
"I'll be there, but not the day after tomorrow."
Anton instructed, "Move the party to tomorrow night. I'll be flying to Los Angeles tonight."
"What?" This shattered Jim's plans. Frustrated, he replied, "Tomorrow? I already sent out the invites. Do you think Hollywood stars have free time every day?"
"I don't care if they come. All I need is a grand, official entrance."
Anton hung up.
"Shit!" Jim cursed at the busy signal but knew there was nothing he could do.
He was well aware of Anton's unpredictable nature.
This understanding had been crystal clear when Anton directed and led film productions.
Like Tony Stark, Anton had a rebellious streak. But unlike Stark, he was less eccentric in his dealings and rarely bailed on others.
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